Release Detail

August 18, 2005 - Ferrer Still Short Of 40% In NYC Dem Primary,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Three Others In Horse Race For Second Place

New York City likely Democratic primary voters give mayoral candidate Fernando Ferrer
33 percent, short of the 40 percent he needs to avoid a Democratic primary runoff,
according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

The other Democratic contenders are in a horse race for second place, and a chance
to be in the runoff, with 17 percent each for Council Speaker Gifford Miller and Manhattan
Borough President C. Virginia Fields and 16 percent for U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, the
independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.

Even among these likely Democratic voters, 16 percent remain undecided and 51
percent say they still might change their mind before the September 13 primary.

And 44 percent of these likely Democratic voters say they will vote for Republican
Mayor Michael Bloomberg if the candidate they support does not win the primary.

"Fernando Ferrer is on the lead horse, but still short of the brass ring - the 40
percent that assures him the Democratic mayoral nomination," said Maurice Carroll,
director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Gifford Miller, Virginia Fields and Anthony Weiner are jockeying for position,
hoping to come in second and get into the runoff, if there is a runoff.

"None of the Democrats has a very strong base of support. Half of the voters for
any candidate might change their mind, and a big chunk say they will vote for Mayor
Bloomberg if their candidate is not the Democratic nominee."

A primary runoff helps the Democrats because it focuses attention on their
candidates, 41 percent of voters say, but 45 percent say a divisive battle hurts the
Democrats.

Bloomberg Approval

New York City registered voters give Mayor Bloomberg a 64 - 26 percent approval,
just one point short of his all-time high in a February 6, 2002, Quinnipiac University poll,
one month after he took office.

"No doubt Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum leads. The question is whether Norman
Siegel can force her into a runoff," Carroll said.

"Robert Morgenthau, the DA for all ages, looks as if he'll be DA forever."

From August 9 - 15, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,601 New York City
registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points. The survey includes
489 likely Democratic primary voters, with a margin of error of +/- 4.4 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and
nationwide as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling his
job as Mayor?

3. (If registered Democrat) If the Democratic primary for mayor were being
held today, and the candidates were Gifford Miller, Fernando Ferrer,
C. Virginia Fields, and Anthony Weiner for whom would you vote?
3a. If undecided: Well as of today, do you lean more towards Miller, Ferrer,
Fields, or Weiner? Includes Leaners.

3. (If registered Democrat) If the Democratic primary for mayor were being
held today, and the candidates were Gifford Miller, Fernando Ferrer,
C. Virginia Fields, and Anthony Weiner for whom would you vote?

TREND: (If registered Democrat) If the Democratic primary for mayor were being
held today, and the candidates were Gifford Miller, Fernando Ferrer, C. Virginia
Fields, and Anthony Weiner, for whom would you vote? (na = not asked)

6. When the Democratic party nominates its candidate for mayor, which quality
do you think should be more important?
A) The candidate's ability to defeat Michael Bloomberg. -or-
B) The candidate's views on the issues.

7. As you may know, a Democratic primary runoff for Mayor will be held between
the top two candidates if no candidate wins 40 percent of the vote. Which comes
closer to your point of view?
A) A Democratic primary runoff would help the Democrats chances of beating
Bloomberg because there will be more focus on the Democratic candidates. -or-
B) A Democratic primary runoff would hurt the Democrats chances of beating
Bloomberg because they are likely to end up in a divisive battle.

14. (If registered Democrat)If the Democratic primary for Public Advocate were
being held today and the candidates were Betsy Gotbaum, Norman Siegal, and
Andrew Rasiej for whom would you vote?
14a. If undecided: Well as of today, do you lean more towards Gotbaum, Siegal,
or Rasiej? Includes Leaners.

15. (If Manhattan Democrat)If the Democratic primary for Manhattan District
Attorney were being held today and the candidates were Leslie Crocker Snyder
and Robert Morgenthau, for whom would you vote?
15a. If undecided: Well as of today, do you lean more towards Snyder or
Morgenthau? Includes Leaners.